County Legislature run with heavy hand

Monroe County Legislature President Jeff Adair.

For too long, Republicans, who have controlled the Monroe County Legislature the past 19 years, have governed with a heavy hand, routinely dismissing proposals from minority Democrats, who mainly represent the city.

For the future of what once was aptly called the Community of Monroe, where elected leaders valued compromise, legislature President Jeffrey Adair and fellow Republican lawmakers need to update their leadership model.

Adair should start by recalling his vow to be open and fair to minority Democrats: "You have our promise that county government works for all the families of Monroe County," he said after being elected president in January 2010.

While Adair has worked one-on-one with Democratic leader Ted O'Brien, those efforts have not seen fruition: Since 2008, still only one Democratic proposal - a restriction on funeral protests - has been adopted by the full legislature.

New Albany model

Adair needs to take a cue from the New York Legislature. Not so long ago among the most dysfunctional legislative bodies in the nation, the Republican-led state Senate and the overwhelmingly Democratic state Assembly now make up one of the most productive legislatures in America.

Of course, this amazing turnaround has much to do with the election of Andrew Cuomo as governor in 2010 and his high public ratings. He has worked closely with both legislative chambers to reach agreements on long-sought reforms.

Where is Brooks?

That kind of success should make citizens wonder why Republican County Executive Maggie Brooks hasn't used her popularity to push for common ground where there's a big gulf between the two parties. After all, just ahead is a likely major dispute on bonding for a new downtown campus of Monroe Community College.

While Republicans comprise the Legislature's majority by an 18-11 margin, it's still significant that registered Democrats actually outnumber the GOP countywide, 168,267 to 132,318. Under the Legislature's operational structure, the voices of Democrats, who mainly live in the city, are being silenced. Never mind the importance of the city to the region, and the need for all hands on deck to address the myriad challenges that urban centers face.

The list of concerns raised by Democrats who have had the door essentially slammed in their faces is lengthy. Most recently, Adair declared dead-on-arrival a Democratic proposal that would help make burials a less costly option for indigents.

Adair insists there is bipartisanship, but that seems evident only on Republican-sponsored legislation.

Democrats rule

It's true that Republican voices aren't aired in city government, which is all-Democratic. But the difference is that, unfortunately, Republicans have been unsuccessful in winning support in the Democratic stronghold. And it has not helped that county GOP leaders have essentially ceded the city to the Democrats. They rarely provide adequate financial support to GOP candidates, according to some Republican contenders the Editorial Board has interviewed. Diverse political viewpoints can be healthy for city government and the community in general.

It's about principles

None of this is about taking sides with Democrats. Rather, it's about democracy, and the bastardization of its principles. True, majority rule is a basic tenet of democracy. But that shouldn't be a license to shut down minority viewpoints.

While the Rochester area was recently ranked fifth best place for families in the nation by Kiplinger Personal Finance, the reality is that huge challenges exist. Monroe has among the highest property taxes in the nation and the city has debilitating problems linked to poverty and struggling schools.

What a shame it is that ideas that could enhance this community are being given short shrift because they happen to be proposed by the wrong political party. Bring back the Community of Monroe!